The OCU Continues to Sue the UOC over Property in Kremenchuk

In Kremenchuk, a legal dispute initiated by representatives of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine (OCU) against the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (UOC) over church property continues. A scheduled hearing in the Kryukiv District Court on April 28 was postponed due to an extended air raid alert and the absence of a representative of the state registrar. This was reported by «Suspilne,» citing a courtroom correspondent.

According to OCU representatives, the lawsuit concerns actions by the former rector of the Dormition Church, UOC priest Archpriest Iosif Bohaychyk, who allegedly sold two residential buildings owned by the church community and transferred a parish school building of 900 m² free of charge. The OCU claims the property was alienated illegally.

«The Moscow priests’ side is deliberately delaying the case. We filed the lawsuit back in October, but the defendants kept skipping sessions and postponing hearings. Priest Bohaychyk illegally sold two community houses and gifted the school, which is valued at 18 million hryvnias. The money never appeared in the community’s account,» said Olha Ponomarenko, secretary of the Dormition Church’s parish council.

The OCU’s lawyer, Ruslan Lazorenko, believes that the former rector’s actions violate both church statutes and Ukrainian law:

«Bohaychyk, violating the charter and exceeding his authority, sold the property without a decision of the parish assembly and without the treasurer’s signature. The money did not reach the community’s bank account, and the documents show signs of inauthenticity,» Lazorenko stated.

UOC priest Father Iosif denies the accusations. He claims that all actions were agreed upon with the community before the church switched jurisdiction to the OCU.

«This was the community’s decision — they bought these houses back in the 1960s–70s. Due to financial difficulties, we decided to sell the property to maintain the church. All the documents exist, and we can also provide reports on the use of funds. The money went towards repairs of the cathedral,» Father Iosif said.

The OCU now seeks a court ruling to declare the sales contract invalid and return the property to the community. The next court hearing is scheduled for June 13.

It is also worth noting that Metropolitan Feodosiy of Cherkasy and Kaniv recently called on local authorities in Cherkasy to prevent possible unlawful seizure of the property of the Cherkasy diocese. In his statement, he expressed concern over a recent decision by the Cherkasy City Council to seize land plots belonging to the Church. The Metropolitan stated that the decision is illegal and constitutes an attempt to deprive the UOC of its rightful property.